In December 2007 between IVECO L.A. and the Brazilian
MOD to co-develop a project which has been called
Wheeled Medium Armoured Personnel Carrier–
Basic Platform (VBTP-MR). The project will be supported
by IVECO Defence Vehicles, situated in Northern
Italy, which is dedicated to designing and manufacturing
vehicles for military applications. With this support,
the VBTP-MR vehicle will be developed and manufactured
at IVECO LA’ Sete Lagoas plant in Minas Gerais
(Brazil). The prototype of the new Brazilian 6x6
armoured personnel carrier (VBTP-MR ) will be delivered
by the end of 2009, and will be extensively tested
by the Brazilian Army starting from April 2010.
The vehicles will then replace the EE-11 Urutu VBTP-MR
fleet currently in use by the Brazilian Army. The
first 16 vehicles will be manufactured principally
using imported components, but local content will
be gradually increased to over 60% in order to reduce
production and maintenance costs. IVECO believes
that this can be achieved through the integration
of its growing supplier base in Brazil, where the
company produces around 15.000 trucks per year plus
diesel engines. Pietro Borgo, General Manager of
IVECO Defence Vehicles, stated “The aim of
the project is to develop a highly specialized knowledge
base in military vehicles at IVECO LA and to establish
an IVECO Defence Vehicles presence in Brazil which
can become a partner for the Brazilian Army.”
IVECO’s new VBTP-MR is a 18-tonne vehicle,
with amphibious capacity at 17.5 tonnes, and can
carry a crew of 10 dismounts plus the driver. Outline
specifications include a length of 6.9m, a 2.7m
width and a height of 2.34m.
The Brazilian Army and the Business unit Iveco Latin
America had signed this, 18 of December, an agreement
for the manufacture of 2.044 units of the basic
model of the new family of wheeled armoured vehicle
VBTP-MR (Vehicles Armored for the Transport of Pessoal
Médio Sobre Rodas). This vehicles will replace
the old armoured vehicle Urutu used today by the
Brazilian Armed Forces. The contract has a value
of 6 $ billion over 20 years. The manufacture of
the first units should begin in 2012, to finish
in 2030.
Variants
:
Brazilian Army also issued operational requirements
for a number of derivatives of the VBTP-MR. This
new family of vehicles will include command vehicle,
technical assistance vehicle, armored ambulance,
120-mm mortar carrier, fire direction vehicle and
8x8 version for Brazilian Marines.
The
Iveco VBTP-MR can be fitted with a variety
of remote-controlled weapon stations. It
might be fitted with remotely controlled
7.62-mm, 12.7-mm machine guns or 40-mm automatic
grenade launcher. Variant with 30-mm cannon
and anti-tank guided missiles is also proposed.
Protection
The
VBTP-MR is fitted with an armour protection,
which gives against small arms fire and
artillery shell splinters. Vehicle can be
fitted with add-on composite armor for improved
protection. This armored personnel carrier
has a V-shaped hull, which provides protection
against landmines. Interior is fitted with
a spall liner.
Propulsion
The VBTP-MR uses a 6x6 wheeled chassis.
The VBTP-MR is powered by Iveco Cursor 9
turbocharged diesel engine, developing 383
hp. Engine is located at the hull front.
This engine will be produced in Brazil by
Fiat. Vehicle has a hydropneumatic suspension.
Accessories
The
Iveco VBTP-MR is airportable by C-130 Hercules
and fully amphibious. Modular side floats
can be added for improved floatation.
Specifications
Armament
Remote
controlled weapon station
armed with weapons up to
12,7 mm in calibre.
Kyodo
news says the Japanese defense ministry is considering permanently deploying
Patriot
surface-to-air defense missile interceptors at its Tokyo
headquarters.
